In a move stirring debate on Capitol Hill, Republican lawmakers have unveiled a bill designed to strip the Internal Revenue Service of its firearms, and the legislation comes amid growing concerns about the agency's stockpile of weapons and equipment.
The GOP-backed legislation proposes disarming the IRS and transferring its armed responsibilities to the Department of Justice, as Just the News reports.
Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) introduced the bill named the "Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act." The legislation seeks to prohibit the IRS from acquiring or storing firearms and ammunition.
The primary focus of Moore's proposed law is to ensure that the IRS shifts away from its current practice of weaponizing agents. Under this legislation, the IRS's Criminal Investigations Division would be transferred to the Department of Justice. Furthermore, the bill mandates that all IRS-owned firearms be sold through the General Services Administration to licensed dealers, and its ammunition would be made available for public purchase.
The financial aspect of the IRS's arsenal has drawn considerable attention. Watchdog group Open the Books reported that since 2006, the agency has spent over $35 million on guns, ammunition, and equipment styled for military use. Noteworthy within this figure is a $10 million expenditure since 2020 on weaponry and tactical gear. The IRS currently employs close to 2,100 special agents. Discussions are ongoing about whether such an arsenal and agent presence are necessary for a tax collection agency.
Specific acquisitions by the IRS further illustrate the magnitude of its armory. According to reports, the agency has invested over $2 million in ammunition alone. Additional purchases include $1.2 million for ballistic shields, $474,000 for Smith & Wesson rifles, and $463,000 for Beretta 1301 tactical shotguns.
Moore has been vociferous in his rationale for the bill. According to him, "Arming these agents does not make the American public safer," and that the only 'arithmetic' IRS agents should handle is related to calculations. His proposal emphasizes the redirection of resources to facilitate the public selling of firearms and ammunition.
Rep. Mary Miller echoed Moore's concerns. She challenged the necessity of taxpayer money funding what she regards as an inappropriate function for a tax authority. She urged that the IRS would benefit more from enhanced transparency and oversight rather than weaponry.
The bill's co-sponsors include Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) Miller of Illinois and Clay Higgins (R-LA) further broadening the backing from Republican lawmakers. They argue that the IRS's current operational model, with its armed agents, risks infringing on the freedoms of everyday Americans. This effort to disarm IRS aligns with broader concerns among Republicans regarding what they perceive as overreach by federal agencies. The proposed bill posits that enforcing laws and protecting citizens, particularly with firearms, should be under the purview of the Department of Justice.
Ultimately, this introduces a discussion of balancing government authority with public safety. The proposed legislation emphasizes that actions such as "IRS agents not hitting homes and businesses like SWAT teams" are necessary for safeguarding constitutional rights.
While the bill gains traction among some lawmakers, it also draws criticism from those who see the need for federal agencies like the IRS to have some enforcement capabilities.
The notion of the IRS amassing and utilizing arms raises questions about the role of federal agencies in law enforcement and their perceived authorities. It poses a fundamental question about whether agencies designed for tax purposes should have such enforcement capabilities.
The unfolding debate around this proposed legislation reflects the ongoing tension in American politics about agency roles, accountability, and the limits of federal power. The discourse surrounding the dynamics of arming agencies such as the IRS continues as lawmakers deliberate the future scope and nature of these functions.
